Collapsible storage box

ABSTRACT

The collapsible storage box contains two rigid lateral plates, two flexible longitudinal plates, a flexible first base plate connecting the longitudinal and lateral plates&#39; bottom rims, and a rigid second base plate stitched or adhered to a top side of the first base plate along a longitudinal middle section of the second base plate. A rigid support plate is connected to the top rim of each longitudinal plate. To put the storage box to use, the lateral and longitudinal plates are raised and the two support plates are flipped downward so that their bottom rims are pressed against the second base plate. When the storage box is not in use, the support plates are flipped outward and, by the flexibility of the two longitudinal plates, the lateral plates are folded inward. The storage box then turns into a flat shape for easy storage and transportation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of the co-pending patent application No. 12/750,684, owned by the same applicant.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to collapsible boxes, and more particular to a collapsible storage box that could take shape easily and folded into a flat shape for easy storage and transportation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

A conventional storage box usually has a fixed structure made of wood or plastic and contains a number of compartments for storage separated by partition plates. Due to its fixed structure, the conventional storage box would take up considerable space when not in use and therefore would be difficult to store or transport. Even though it usually could be disassembled, it requires re-assembly when it is put to use again, which is troublesome and laborious.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As such, a novel collapsible storage box is provided herein. The storage box would take shape by simple pulling and flipping and, when not in use, could be collapsed into a flat shape for easy storage and transportation, making its usage more convenient.

The collapsible storage box contains two rigid lateral plates, two flexible longitudinal plates, a flexible first base plate connecting the longitudinal and lateral plates' bottom rims, and a rigid second base plate stitched or adhered to a top side of the first base plate along a longitudinal middle section of the second base plate. A rigid support plate is connected to the top rim of each longitudinal plate, and a flexible extension is extended for an appropriate length from the top rim of each support plate. To put the storage box to use, the lateral and longitudinal plates are raised and the two support plates are flipped downward so that their bottom rims are pressed against the second base plate, thereby foming a storage room for various objects. When the storage box is not in use, the support plates are flipped outward and, by the flexibility of the two longitudinal plates, the lateral plates are folded inward. The storage box then turns into a flat shape for easy storage and transportation.

The two rigid lateral plates and the two rigid support plates are made by wrapping flexible cloth around rigid objects such as cardboards.

The foregoing objectives and summary provide only a brief introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the following detailed description of the invention and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts.

Many other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram showing a collapsible storage box according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective schematic diagram showing the collapsible storage box of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a profile schematic diagram showing the collapsible storage box of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged schematic diagram showing the internal of a support plate of the storage box of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective diagram showing a collapsible shoe box according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective schematic diagram showing the collapsible shoe box of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective diagram showing a collapsible storage box according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following descriptions are exemplary embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a collapsible storage box according to a first embodiment of the present invention contains two rigid lateral plates 1, two flexible longitudinal plates 2, a flexible first base plate 3 connecting the bottom rims of the lateral and longitudinal plates 1 and 2, and a flexible top cover plate 6 connecting the top rims of the lateral and longitudinal plates 1 and 2. An opening 11 is configured in one of the lateral plates 1 and a side cover plate 12 is connected to the lateral plate 1 along the top edge of the opening 11. Corresponding fastening elements 14 and 13 are configured on the lateral plate 1 along the bottom edge of the opening 13 and the side cover plate 12, respectively, so as to fix the side cover plate 12 when it seals the opening 11. A rigid second base plate 4 is stitched or adhered to a top side of the first base plate 3 along a middle longitudinal section of the second base plate 4. The circumference of the second base plate 4 is freely detachable from the first base plate 3. A rigid support plate 5 is connected to the top rim of each longitudinal plate 2. In turn, a flexible extension 53 is extended for an appropriate length from the top rim of each support plate 5. With the foregoing arrangement, a collapsible storage box is achieved. To use the storage box, the lateral and longitudinal plates 1 and 2 are raised and, by threading hand into the box through the opening 11, the support plates 5 are flipped downward to attach to the inner sides of the longitudinal plates 2 and the second base plate 4 provides support to and presses against the bottom rims of the lateral plates 1 and the extensions 53 of the support plates 5, thereby forming a stable storage room where shoes or other objects could be placed inside through the opening 11. By the fastening elements 13 and 14, the opening 11 is reliably sealed by the side cover plate 12. When the storage box is not in use, the side cover plate 12 is opened and, by threading hand through the opening 11 inside, the support plates 5 are flipped upward and the lateral plates 1 could be closed inward as the longitudinal plates 2 are flexible and could be wrinkled. After the lateral plates 1 are closed inward, the two support plates 5 are then closed and stacked on top of the second base plate 4.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the support plates 5 are formed by wrapping flexible cloth 52 around rigid cardboards 51 and the cloth 52 are extended to form the extensions 53. When the support plates 5 are flipped downward, the extensions 53 are inserted beneath the second base plate 4 while the top rims of the support plates 5 are pressed by the second base plate 4. As such, the collapsible shoe box is more solid and is prevented from shaking or inclining.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a collapsible storage box according to a second embodiment of the present invention contains two rigid lateral plates 1, two flexible longitudinal plates 2, a rigid first base plate 3 connecting the bottom rims of the longitudinal and lateral plates 1 and 2, and a rigid top cover plate 6 connecting the top rims of the longitudinal and lateral plates 1 and 2. An opening 11 is configured in one of the lateral plates 1 and a side cover plate 12 is connected to the lateral plate 1 along the top edge of the opening 11. A second base plate 4 has a lateral edge connected to a top rim of the lateral plate 1 opposite to the opening 11. The second base plate 4 could be bended along a lateral line 41. A rigid support plate 5 is connected to the top rim of each longitudinal plate 2.

With the foregoing arrangement, a collapsible shoe box is achieved. To use the shoe box, the lateral and longitudinal plates 1 and 2 are raised and, by threading hand into the box through the opening 11, the support plates 5 are flipped downward and the second base plate 4 is pushed inward into an L shape supporting a lateral plate 1 and the first base plate 3, thereby forming a stable storage room where shoes could be placed inside through the opening 11 and sealed by the side cover plate 12. When the shoe box is not in use, the side cover plate 12 is opened and, by threading hand through the opening 11 inside, the support plates 5 are flipped upward and the second base plate 4 is pulled outward. As the longitudinal plates 2 are flexible, they are folded inward and the two support plates 5 are then closed and stacked, turning the shoe box into a flat shape.

As shown in FIG. 7, a collapsible storage box according to a third embodiment is an enlarged version of the previous second embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 with the side cover plate 12 removed and the opening 11 facing upward. To use the storage box, by threading hand into the box through the opening 11, the support plates 5 are flipped downward and the second base plate 4 is pushed inward into an L shape supporting a lateral plate 1 and the first base plate 3, thereby forming a storage box of a different style.

While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 

1. A collapsible storage box, comprising: two rigid lateral plates where one of said lateral plates has an opening and a side cover plate connecting said lateral plate along the top edge of said opening; two flexible longitudinal plates; a flexible first base plate connecting the bottom rims of said longitudinal and lateral plates; a flexible top cover plate connecting the top rims of said longitudinal and lateral plates; a rigid second base plate on top of said first base plate partially fixed to said first base plate along a longitudinal middle section of said second base plate, leaving the circumference of said second base plate freely detachable from said first base plate; and two rigid support plates connected to the top rims of said longitudinal plates, respectively, where two flexible extensions are extended from the top rims of said support plates, respectively; wherein, to use said collapsible storage box, said lateral and longitudinal plates are raised and said support plates are flipped downward so that the bottom rims of said lateral plates and said support plates are pressed against said second base plate, and said extensions are inserted beneath said second base plate; and, as such, a storage room for various objects is formed; and, when said collapsible storage box is not in use, said support plates are flipped outward and, by the flexibility of said two longitudinal plates, said lateral plates are folded inward and said support plates are flipped inward and stacked so that said collapsible storage box turns into a flat shape for easy storage and transportation.
 2. The collapsible storage box according to claim 1, wherein corresponding fastening elements are provided on said lateral plate along the bottom edge of said opening and said side cover plate, respectively, so as to fix said side cover plate when it seals said opening.
 3. A collapsible storage box, comprising: two rigid lateral plates where one of said lateral plates has an opening and a side cover plate connecting said lateral plate along the top edge of said opening; two flexible longitudinal plates; a rigid first base plate connecting the bottom rims of said longitudinal and lateral plates; a rigid top cover plate connecting the top rims of said longitudinal and lateral plates; a second base plate having a lateral edge connected to the top rim of a lateral plate opposite to said opening, said second base plate bendable along a lateral line; and two rigid support plates connected to the top rims of said longitudinal plates, respectively; wherein, to use said collapsible storage box, said lateral and longitudinal plates are raised and said support plates are flipped downward and said second base plate is pushed inward into an L shape supporting a lateral plate and said first base plate, thereby forming a stable storage room where objects could be placed inside through said opening and sealed by said side cover plate; when said storage box is not in use, said side cover plate is opened and said support plates are flipped upward and said second base plate is pulled outward; and, as said longitudinal plates are flexible and folded inward, said support plates are then closed and stacked, turning said storage box into a flat shape. 